Question : SPECIAL COMPONENT PLAN



(a) the year-wise financial allocation under the head `Special Component Plan` during the financial year 1996-97 to 1999-2000 to the States of Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan;

(b) whether the respective State Governments have given their share in the `Special Component Plan` on due dates;

(c) whether the Central Government are aware that the fund sanctioned for `Special Component Plan` is utilised for other purposes by certain state Governments;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the remedial measures taken/proposed to be taken in this regard?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND POWERMENT (SMT. MANEKA GANDHI)

(a) Amount provided under the head Special Component Plan by Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan during the years 1996-97 to 1999-2000 is given at annexure.

(b)to(e) the strategy for preparation and implementation of Special Component Plan for welfare of Scheduled Castes was introduced during 1979-80. As per the strategy, the State Governments and Central Ministries/Deptts are to earmark a part of their plan fund in proportion to the percentage of the Scheduled Castes population the total population in the respective State/Country, which is to be utilized for welfare of Scheduled Castes. Funds earmarked as Special Component Plan is utilized by the concerned State Government and Central Ministries/Deptts.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is implementing a scheme, under which 100% grant is provided as Special Central Assistance to the States as an additive to the States Special Component Plan. Available funds under Special Central Assistance is sub allocated among States/UTs based on factors which includes implementation of Special component Plan, 24 State Governments/UTs which have sizable SC population, have been formulating Special Component Plans. This is being monitored by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. The State Governments/UTs have been requested to open a separate budget head and take specific steps for ensuring that the funds provided under Special Component Plan are utilized for SC Welfare.
Implementation of Special component Plan by the Central Ministries/Deptts is monitored by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and the Standing Tripartite Committee, set up by the Planning Commission, in which Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is associated.


Annexure Question No. 5006 for 20.12.2000
Allocation made under the Special Component Plan during the financial years 1996-97 to 1999-2000.

	(Rs. in Crore)
Sl.No.	State/UT	1996-97	1997-98	1998-99	1999-2000
1	2	3	4	5	6
1	Andhra Pradesh	300.57	339.72	573.46	544.27
2	Gujarat	101.42	171.52	199.55	260.82
3	Maharashtra	541.95	600.00	608.00	640.00
4	Rajasthan	487.12	660.01	688.74	797.41
5	Tamil Nadu	652.39	752.23	825.53	997.41
6	Uttar Pradesh	1420.00	1484.00	2159.81	2394.00
7 West Bengal 146.85 300.38 235.30 1414.14